Claire's Notes
Online English tutorials
for GCSE and beyond
Please subscribe to my channel to stay up to date with my new video releases. It costs nothing but your support means everything.
CCEA Identity
More videos coming soon!
Welcome to your ultimate guide to mastering the CCEA Identity poetry anthology. In these comprehensive YouTube tutorials, Claire breaks down each poem with clear, engaging explanations, covering themes, literary techniques, and cultural contexts. Whether you're grappling with complex imagery or need help understanding the poets' perspectives on identity, Claire's expert insights make learning accessible and enjoyable. Perfect for GCSE students aiming to enhance their literary analysis skills and achieve top grades, these videos are your go-to resource for excelling in your studies. Subscribe now and delve into the rich tapestry of the Identity poetry anthology with Claire's Notes!
Catrin
by Gillian Clarke
"Catrin" by Gillian Clarke is a reflective poem that explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. The poem centres on the speaker's memories of her daughter's birth and subsequent growth, highlighting themes of love, struggle, and the passage of time. Clarke vividly portrays the challenges and joys of motherhood, as well as the evolving dynamic between parent and child. The poem captures moments of tension and tenderness, revealing the deep emotional bond between mother and daughter despite their differences. "Catrin" delves into themes of identity, independence, and the enduring connection that binds families together through life's milestones.
Piano
by D. H. Lawrence
"Piano" by D. H. Lawrence nostalgically recounts the speaker's childhood memories evoked by a woman's singing. The music transports him to a time when he sat under the piano, listening to his mother play and sing. The poem vividly portrays the warmth and security of these moments, highlighting the deep emotional connection to his past. As the speaker becomes overwhelmed by longing, he mourns the lost innocence and simplicity of his early years. Through rich imagery and reflective tone, Lawrence explores themes of memory, loss, and the powerful influence of music in rekindling emotions from one's youth.
Prayer Before Birth
by Louis MacNeice
"Prayer Before Birth" by Louis MacNeice is a poignant and evocative poem in which an unborn child voices a desperate plea for protection against the world's potential cruelties. The child asks for safety from dehumanisation, manipulation, and violence, expressing fear of becoming a mere instrument of others' will. The poem underscores the vulnerability of innocence in a corrupt and dangerous world, highlighting the child's desire to retain individuality, kindness, and humanity. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic repetition, MacNeice captures the universal anxieties about the future and the longing for a life filled with integrity and compassion.